Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Cambodians block border bridge

Cambodian vendors have blockaded the
Thai-Cambodian Friendship bridge near the Aranyaprathet border
checkpoint in a protest against a crackdown on pirated goods by Thai
authorities.

They used more than 10 two-wheeled pushcarts as a barrier to block
the bridge lane heading into Thailand on Monday. The protest paralysed
traffic between Sa Kaeo and Banteay Meanchey province in Cambodia.
The vendors accused Thai officials of prohibiting them from selling
second-hand clothes at the Rong Kruea border market in Thailand. Thai
authorities denied the allegation during talks with the vendors.

The officials admitted confiscating some goods, but said this applied
only to pirated goods, including bags and shoes, which were being
smuggled across the border hidden in other products.
The vendors dispersed after the talks.